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Revital Bat Lea
We know that the snake instigated to sin, but when did he tell lashon hara? It was his claim that the reason Hashem forbade eating from the tree of knowledge was that He knew that man would be like Him, kav’yachol. But still, one thinks of talking about G-d inappropriately as heresy rather than lashon hara. How is Moshe talking about Bnei Yisrael parallel to the snake’s words of heresy?
In essence, the snake said that there is nothing innately different about Hashem, but that He is like people and has self-interests like them. In this way, Moshe said something parallel about Bnei Yisrael. Although most nations would be skeptical about being extricated from Egypt’s grip, a Divinely chosen nation would believe that the promise of redemption Hashem gave to their forefathers would be fulfilled. This special type of lashon hara doubted that Bnei Yisrael was unique in this regard, implying that all nations are the same.
This idea of denying a special Divine essence may also shed light on another use of the root for snake, nachash. In many places in the Torah, nachash refers to a form of witchcraft that predicts the future (see Bereishit 44:15; Bamidbar 23:23). This is based on the assumption that everything is predictable if one taps into the forces. It denies the Divine input into the process.
Our outlook on the snake’s worldview also sheds light on another statement of Chazal about the snake. Rashi (to Bamidbar 21:6) says that snakes were chosen to punish Bnei Yisrael for criticizing the manna to show the absurdity of complaining about a food that turned into whatever taste one wanted. The snake brings that message home because everything tastes the same to it. According to our thesis, this is particularly significant. Whether physically or spiritually, the snake’s mouth declares there is no difference between this and that. The tongue that said that G-d is the same as people was punished with the curse that all foods will taste identically like earth (see Bereishit 3:14).
When Hashem hinted to Moshe the shortcoming he had displayed, Moshe ran away from the snake (Shemot 4:3). It perhaps was particularly frightful to think that the staff that he had been holding continuously had been a snake, with the spiritual implications we have alluded to. Hashem reassured Moshe that the flaw was not innate, but a misunderstanding, and that he could grab the snake and return it to a staff.
Let us all be successful in recognizing the potential "snake in our hands" and keep it from showing its ugly head.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
